I have been meeting people who suddenly have to vacate their homes due to job transfers to other states for several years now. When they first come for a consultation, they often get stuck at the same point. They have decided to rent out their home instead of selling it, but they don't know where or how to advertise it. Some have thought that just posting a few pictures on Craigslist would be enough, only to return saying they didn't receive a single inquiry. As the moving date approaches, it's natural to feel anxious if they can't find a tenant, as it means they'll be paying for an empty house every month.

There are generally two main ways to advertise. One is for the homeowner to directly list the property on sites like Zillow Rental Manager or Apartments.com. They just need to upload photos, a floor plan, the monthly rent, and the move-in date, and most of the time, they can register for free. It's best to take photos during the day with natural light and show the house by scheduling individual visits when inquiries come in. The other option is to hire a local property management company. While this incurs a fee, they handle advertising, inquiries, and screening for you. If you've already moved out of state, using a management company can be more convenient, but if you're still in Fargo and can manage things yourself, it's definitely doable on your own.

Next, you'll need to decide on the rental price. According to Zumper, the median rent in Fargo as of August 2026 is $1,125, with one-bedroom apartments at $995 and two-bedrooms at $1,192. Data from RentCafe shows an average of $1,155, with one-bedrooms at $985 and two-bedrooms at $1,169, which is in a similar range. The fact that these two sources don't differ significantly suggests that the market is stable. If you set your rent too high compared to this range, it will only prolong the vacancy period, so it's practical to compare your property with similar listings in the area. The appropriate rent can also vary depending on whether the landlord or tenant pays for heating, so it's wise to determine how utilities will be handled before comparing with market rates.

When you start receiving responses to your advertisement, the next step is tenant screening. You'll typically look at three main factors: credit score, proof of income, and previous rental history. Many landlords use a guideline of requiring an income that is at least three times the rent, often verified through pay stubs or offer letters. A credit check must be conducted with the tenant's consent, and during this process, you should only consider objective criteria like credit score, income, and rental history. Sometimes, a small application fee is charged when receiving applications, but it's best to keep it at a level that doesn't exceed the actual cost of the credit check.

The lease agreement must include the rent amount and due date, the security deposit amount and return conditions, the number of occupants, pet policies, maintenance responsibilities, and the procedures for lease renewal and rent increase notifications. In North Dakota, the maximum security deposit is generally one month's rent, but it can be up to two months if the tenant has a felony record or a history of lease violations. The return of the deposit must occur within 30 days after move-out, along with a detailed itemized statement, and if this deadline is missed, the landlord may be required to return the full deposit. It's also helpful to clarify in the lease that normal wear and tear is not subject to deductions, as this can reduce disputes later on.

It's also good to be aware of situations where you may need to evict a tenant. If rent is not received on time, you can start the process after giving a three-day notice, and if the issue isn't resolved within that time, you can proceed to file with the court. A written notice is required 30 days before the end of the lease. These procedures can vary slightly from state to state, so it's advisable to double-check with a real estate attorney or a local tenant-landlord advisory service before signing any lease. This article is intended to provide general information and is not legal advice tailored to individual situations.